Flucloxacillin and temperature

[TheWorstWeek]

DS was prescribed flucloxacillin for a cut the became infected after a really bad fall on Thursday which we were told to start on Friday if it didn't start improving with an antiseptic cream first. He got a full set of doses of the antibiotics on Friday and yesterday and the cut seems to be improving.

Last night, overnight, however he had a temperature of 38° and this morning is still warmer than usual. His cut still seems to be improving but the temperature has me a bit worried. Is it a side effect of the antibiotic? Is it the infection, which seems to be slowly clearing, getting worse? Do I need to worry?

Also, if his temp doesn't go down on its own (it did eventually overnight but came back up) then can I give him Calpol or ibuprofen? I've found conflicting things about painkillers and this antibiotics.

All questions I'd ask a doctor but this stuff always seems to happen on a weekend!

There is a 24 hour pharmacy open in most towns if you have a Google. The on duty pharmacist should be able to help.

In similar circumstances, I found the Boots pharmacist very helpful when I rang up.

I’m taking this antibiotic just now one of the side effect is a fever. The leaflet also tells you not to take paracetamol with it either. I’ve got such a sore head today so going for a walk for the fresh air to see if I can clear it,

however I would give nhs24 or speak to a pharmacist just in case your child has taken a reaction to the antibiotic.

hope your little one feels better soon.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

Firstly what thermometer are you using. Many of them, including 'in ear' thermometers are affected by the outside temperature and it's very hot at the moment - check it on yourself.

Fever is a sign of infection, so it may be that the wound has become infected and if so, you have already started appropriate antibiotics to combat this - these should take a few days to work. If things are getting worse, you will need to seek more medical help - if the wound is not healing, increased pus redness/heat/swelling . The nhs link above is useful for things to watch out for/what to do.

Fever due to infection is not generally a problem. However, with the weather being hot at the moment, it is important to keep children out of the sun and well hydrated to prevent Heat illnesses - such as heat exhaustion/heat stroke which are dangerous.

Information about flucloxacillin is here that you might find helpful: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/flucloxacillin/

I have wondered if it is unrelated as the cut is getting better and looking less infected. We were out yesterday in the sunshine for about 4/5 hours and it was hot so maybe heat exhaustion? The temp has come and gone all day and he's been managing it himself fine. He doesn't have his normal appetite and has complained a wee bit of a sore tummy when he does eat. Which could be both the heat and the antibiotics I suppose.